Joe Chester released his second album, The Tiny Pieces Left Behind on 18 April 2008."The good news: Joe Chester has followed-up 2005's acclaimed debut, A Murder of Crows with a humdinger of a second album. i am reminded of John Lennon and Neil Young. It's that good. The Tiny Pieces Left Behind is a great album." - Adrienne Murphy, Hot Press."The devil is in the details. Rarely has that adage been more apt than in the case of Joe Chester, whose second album is packed with small moments that add up to big things. He knows his way around a good tune, and this album is full of them." - Irish Independent"Fantastic melodies – check. Perfectly pitched harmonies – check. Emotionally wrought lyrics – check. The new Joe Chester opus? Check. Joe's back and he's turned everything up a notch on this, his second album. He might claim on Flourescent Light "You know I always like the darker side of things" but here he burns bright and on tracks like To Hold Onto Melting Love, beautiful moments fly to him like moths to a flame." - The Event GuideThe album was recorded over the last 3 years in between studios in Ireland and France. It was produced by Joe with additional engineering by David Odlum.
The band on the record includes Binzer, Gemma Hayes and
Ann Scott.The sound of the record is more layered than before, with richer textures than the mainly acoustic sound of the debut. “This wasn't something I set out to do, but instead I wanted
to follow my nose a bit more, and let the songs lead the way. To go with my first answer as opposed to getting uptight about sonic or musical things. On the songs, well I guess they too are more textured. I spent a long time working on the structure of the music
and lyrics, and that more than anything contributed to the sound of the recordâ€.“When it came around to deciding to make the second album, I thought long and hard about what it should be, but in the end, I decided if I was going to make any album, it had to be this one. I had waited a long time to make it, and to feel like I was in a place where I was capable of making it. The title had been there for a long time, so I began writing songs around that. I ended up working from about 25 songs. It might have been a double album. But in the end, I felt it worked better as a 10 song albumâ€.In 2006, Joe was nominated for Best Irish Male in the Meteor Irish Music Awards, and A Murder of Crows was shortlisted as one of the Irish albums of the year in The Choice Music Prize( the Irish equivalent of the Mercury Music Prize).
ReviewsIts the perfect pop record. Negative feelings, like love lost and relationship break-ups are twisted and shaped into something altogether more encouraging. Theres no room for mellow tracks of acoustic guitars and weepy vocals. Chester is much more constructive and resourceful in taking his beautifully simple songs and using his extensive production knowledge to carefully construct around them. You will be lucky to hear anything more affecting all year . A Murder of Crows is an absolute joy. Every home should have one. - Hot Press MagazineA refreshingly accomplished debut - In Dublin MagazineA shimmeringly lovely alt-pop affair. There are shades of Ron Sexsmith in the songwriting structures, but ultimately this record is all Chester's own, coming on as original, textured and striking. - Nadine O'Regan, The Sunday Business PostA modern alternative pop gem, the album boasts intelligent song writing, sparkling melodies and a burning if somewhat humble confidence in its own abilities. - Jim Carroll, The Irish TimesA Murder of Crows possesses everything a good pop record should have; melodies, hooks, harmonies, attitude, confidence, simplicity, coherence and universal appeal. - Totally Dublin MagazineMy tip for the top remains, as it has been, Joe Chester. His album is, without doubt, a joy to behold. Its perfect pop, one of the best albums I ever had sent into the show. A treasure! - Tom Dunne, Today Fm.The title track and A Safe Place to Hide (which features Gemma Hayes) are the sort of perfect concoctions that the countrys slew of singer-songwriters can only dream of emulating. A Murder of Crows really feels like a labour of love and is heartily recommended. - The Irish Independent.With his debut solo album, A Murder of Crows, Joe Chester shows something of a divine sense of melody and a staunchly religious approach to song writing. Chester shows the kind of song writing smarts that bode well for his future royalty cheques; songs such as A Drop of Rain, Pain, Relieve, How You Wish, You Feel and I Always Think Youre Leaving Me have sumptuous yet simple arrangements and leave a trail of resignation and regret in their wake. Even a cover, Fleetwood Macs Bleed to Love Her is fully Chester-ised in a sublime wash of pop nous and rock charm. A record so good its downright criminal. - Tony Clayton-Lea, The Irish Times
